AFL 2024: News from Carlton in build-up to Opening Round

One pre-season miss was labelled an ‘absolute shocker’ by an AFL legend but Carlton teammates say they have faith in Harry McKay’s goalkicking technique.

Criticism of Carlton star Harry McKay’s goalkicking technique is “crazy”, according to teammate Nic Newman.

The 2021 Coleman medallist was again in the media spotlight after spraying a shot out on the full from directly in front during a practice match against Melbourne on Thursday.

That kick was labelled an “absolute shocker” by legendary full-forward Jason Dunstall on the Fox Footy broadcast.

McKay also missed a simple shot from 25m out, again straight in front, but slotted two other set shots in a three-goal haul.

The left-footer has picked apart his own technique over summer, engaging in video game style technology to find the kinks in his routine and returning to training with more momentum in his kick at the sticks.

No Blue scored more SuperCoach points on Thursday than McKay, who was arguably Carlton’s best player across their two pre-season fixtures despite a couple of misses, and defender Newman said some of the talk about his kicking was unfair.

“We really don’t try to take too much notice,” Newman said.

“I think it’s pretty crazy some of the stuff they are talking about. I think he has had two fantastic pre-season games. If you actually look at it, he is playing some super footy the last couple of weeks and I think they can focus on more in his game than just a couple of kicks.

“I think he is going to have a great year. He does a great job of just focusing on what he does well and we love playing with ‘H’. I look forward to him having a big year and I am not too worried about his set shots.”

Harry McKay reacts after missing a shot on goal against the Demons. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

McKay experienced a notable downturn in his accuracy last year, kicking 29 majors from 77 shots at a percentage of 37.7.

That was a fall from an accuracy percentage of 56.9 in 2021, when he goaled 58 times from 102 shots and led the league goalkicking.

McKay is often the last player on track at Carlton training working on his craft.

“Being a back pocket, I am not going to question his goalkicking,” Newman said.

“He has worked extremely hard on it and I have full confidence in H and he backs it up in the amount of work he does at training.”

Carlton will weigh up McKay’s role this week ahead of an opening round date with the Brisbane Lions after he played some minutes in the ruck over the pre-season.

Big man Marc Pittonet played half of the match against Melbourne and trained on Sunday but could miss out, leaving Tom De Koning and McKay to split the role against Oscar McInerney and Joe Daniher.

Lewis Young flies for a mark. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

BACKLINE FIXES

Carlton’s defence was put on notice at halftime on Thursday and by full-time conceded 15 goals to the normally stodgy Melbourne attack.

Newman said Brodie Kemp and Lewis Young lifted after halftime, with vice-captain Jacob Weitering still sidelined due to a calf injury.

“I thought a couple of their (Melbourne) big boys took a few contested marks and that is an easy fix,” he said.

“I thought those boys did that in the second half. I thought our intent to defend was a lot better, so in terms of structure I don’t think we changed too much.”

Newman will be in the running to go to electric Lions forward Charlie Cameron on Friday.

Cameron kicked just 1.3 in the preliminary final win over Carlton last year.

There was plenty of hype around the Blues on Sunday morning, as fans began lining up to get in to an open training session at 7.30am, three hours before training started, and more than 1000 Bluebaggers came through the gates.